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GCSE English Language · GCSEChapter 8 · Writing letters, articles and speeches
GCSE · Chapter 8

Writing letters, articles and speeches

By the end of this chapter you will be able to

  • I can lay out and close a formal letter and an informal letter correctly.
  • I can write an article with a headline, subheading, paragraphs and a quotation.
  • I can write a speech with direct address, a strong opening and a call to action.
  • I can choose the features of a leaflet or blog for the reader.
  • I can match register, tone and layout to the form, the audience and the purpose.

You should already know

  • Writing argument and discursive pieces (Chapter 7)
  • Writing creative description and narrative (Chapter 5)

Where this leads

  • Spoken language: presenting and responding (Chapter 9)
  • Mock exam Paper 2 (Chapter 13)

GCSE English Language. Content follows the GCSE (9-1) subject content for England (Edexcel and AQA). Content references: Use the layout, greeting and sign-off of a formal and an informal letter (AO5), Write an article with a headline, subheading, paragraphs and a quotation (AO5), Write a speech with direct address, rhetorical devices, points and a call to action (AO5), Use the layout and features of a leaflet and a blog for the audience (AO5), Choose register, tone and layout to suit the form, the audience and the purpose (AO5, AO6).

Exercise P  Do you remember?

1
FWhat is a register in writing? Write the answer in one short phrase.
2
FWhat does Yours sincerely usually follow? Write the greeting it matches.
3
FWhat is a headline? Write the answer in one short phrase.
4
FWhat is a quotation in an article? Write the answer in one short phrase.
5
FWhich punctuation mark ends a direct question? Write the mark only.
8.1

Formal and informal letters

GCSE
Use the layout, greeting, sign-off and register of a formal and an informal letter (AO5)
Video lesson: Formal and informal lettersComing soon
Context. A formal letter goes to someone you do not know well, such as a head teacher. Model A shows the layout: the sender's address, the date, the greeting, the body, the sign-off and the sender's name. Read it, then learn the rules.

Model A: a formal letter to a head teacher (original)

14 Orchard Road, Ashby Green. 12 March.

The Head Teacher, Ashby Green Academy.

Dear Ms Okafor,

I am writing to ask whether the school would consider changing the lunchtime rota for Year 9. At present, pupils have only twenty minutes to eat, and many of us are still queuing when the bell rings.

I understand that the timetable is full and that staff have many demands. However, a longer break would give pupils time to eat properly and to rest before afternoon lessons. I would be grateful if the rota could be reviewed.

Thank you for your time. I would be happy to meet to discuss the idea, and I can bring a summary of the views of other pupils.

Yours sincerely,

Priya Shah

Key ideas

  • Formal letter: sender address top right, date, recipient, greeting, body, sign-off.
  • Dear Ms Okafor (named reader) ends with Yours sincerely. Dear Sir or Madam (unnamed) ends with Yours faithfully.
  • Register: formal letters avoid slang, contractions and chatty phrases.
  • Informal letter: a friendly greeting such as Dear Sam, and a sign-off such as Love from.
Worked example 8.1.1
Which sign-off matches "Dear Ms Okafor"? Write the two words.

Method. Match the greeting to the sign-off.

  1. Read the greeting. Dear Ms Okafor names the reader.
    Dear Ms Okafor
  2. Match the rule. A named reader ends with Yours sincerely.
    Yours sincerely
  3. Write the sign-off. The sign-off is Yours sincerely.
    Yours sincerely
  4. Write the answer.
    Yours sincerely

Check. Named greeting, sincerely. ✓

Worked example 8.1.2
Which greeting and sign-off belong together for a letter to an unnamed reader? Choose one: Dear Sir or Madam ... Yours faithfully, Dear Ms Okafor ... Yours faithfully or Dear Sam ... Love from.

Method. Test each choice against the text.

  1. Read what the question asks for. Decide what the sentence or the text needs.
  2. Test the choice. An unnamed reader gets Dear Sir or Madam, which ends with Yours faithfully.
    Dear Sir or Madam ... Yours faithfully fits
  3. Reject the other choices. A named reader does not end with faithfully, and Dear Sam is informal, not formal.
    Dear Ms Okafor ... Yours faithfully and Dear Sam ... Love from do not fit
  4. Write the answer.
    Dear Sir or Madam ... Yours faithfully

Check. The choice fits the text. ✓

Worked example 8.1.3
Which phrase in Model A is the most formal? Copy the phrase.

Method. Look for the most polite and measured phrase.

  1. Read the opening. The opening states the purpose politely.
    I am writing to ask whether
  2. Compare with slang. A chatty phrase would be I wanna know.
    wanna
  3. Copy the phrase. The formal phrase is I am writing to ask whether.
    I am writing to ask whether
  4. Write the answer.
    I am writing to ask whether

Check. The phrase is polite and measured. ✓

Exercise 8A  Practice: letters

1
FWhat is the sign-off for "Dear Sir or Madam"? Write the two words.
2
FWhich is the more formal greeting: "Dear Ms Okafor" or "Hi Sam"? Write the greeting.
3
PSWhere is the sender's address placed in a formal letter? Write one word: top, middle or bottom.
4
FWhich month is in the date in Model A? Write the month.
5
FTrue or false: a formal letter may use slang such as "wanna". Write true or false.
6
FWrite a friendly greeting and sign-off for an informal letter to a friend called Sam.
7
RWhich phrase from Model A is a request, not a statement? Write the first two words of the phrase.
8
RExplain the tone of "I would be grateful if the rota could be reviewed." One sentence.
9
FWhich closing suits a letter that begins "Dear Sir or Madam"? Write the words: Yours faithfully or Love from.
10
RExplain why a formal letter does not use contractions such as "can't". One sentence.
11
PSWhich line in Model A gives the thanks? Write the first three words of the line.
8.2

Articles: headlines, subheadings, paragraphs and quotations

GCSE
Write an article with a headline, subheading, paragraphs and a quotation (AO5)
Video lesson: Articles: headlines, subheadings, paragraphs and quotationsComing soon
Context. An article for a magazine has a headline that grabs attention, a subheading that adds a detail, short paragraphs, and a quotation from a real or imagined person. Model B has all of these. Find each one.

Model B: an article for a local magazine (original, headline and subheading, four numbered paragraphs)

Volunteers bring the bandstand back to life

A group of volunteers has spent six weekends restoring the bandstand in Old Mill Park. Their work is nearly finished.

1On a damp Saturday morning, a dozen volunteers gathered at the gates of Old Mill Park with paintbrushes, sandpaper and a great deal of enthusiasm. Their target was the bandstand, a white iron structure that had been closed for almost ten years.

2"We were told it could not be saved," said Margaret Lowe, who has led the project since the spring. "But it only needed people who were willing to scrape, sand and paint."

3The work has not been easy. Rust had eaten through two of the supporting columns, and the roof needed new tiles. The group has raised money through a summer tea stall and a sponsored walk, and the council has agreed to pay for the new roof.

4The bandstand is expected to reopen next summer for concerts and performances. For many residents, it is more than a building. It is a reminder of the summers they spent sitting in the park, listening to brass bands and eating ice cream.

Key ideas

  • Headline: a short title that grabs attention.
  • Subheading: a sentence under the headline that adds detail.
  • Paragraphs: short, with a hook first and a close at the end.
  • Quotation: the exact words of a person, in speech marks, with the speaker named.
Worked example 8.2.1
Which paragraph of Model B includes a quotation? Give the number.

Method. Look for the speech marks.

  1. Find the speech marks. The quotation is in speech marks.
    "We were told it could not be saved,"
  2. Find the paragraph. It is the second numbered paragraph.
    paragraph 2
  3. Give the number. The quotation is in paragraph 2.
    2
  4. Write the answer.
    2

Check. Paragraph 2 has the speech marks. ✓

Worked example 8.2.2
Which is the best headline for an article about restoring a bandstand? Choose one: Volunteers bring the bandstand back to life, Bandstand or Things to do this weekend in town.

Method. Test each choice against the text.

  1. Read what the question asks for. Decide what the sentence or the text needs.
  2. Test the choice. It states the story and grabs attention in a short line.
    Volunteers bring the bandstand back to life fits
  3. Reject the other choices. Bandstand gives no story, and the third option is a list, not this article.
    Bandstand and Things to do this weekend in town do not fit
  4. Write the answer.
    Volunteers bring the bandstand back to life

Check. The choice fits the text. ✓

Worked example 8.2.3
Who is quoted in Model B? Write the full name.

Method. Find the name after the quotation.

  1. Find the name. The quotation is followed by said Margaret Lowe.
    said Margaret Lowe
  2. Give the name. The speaker is Margaret Lowe.
    Margaret Lowe
  3. Write the answer.
    Margaret Lowe

Check. The speaker is named. ✓

Exercise 8B  Practice: articles

1
FWhich phrase is the headline of Model B? Write the words.
2
FWhat are the first three words of the subheading of Model B? Write them.
3
PSIn which paragraph of Model B is the reopening date given? Write the number.
4
RWhat is the job of the quotation in paragraph 2? Write one word: inform, persuade or add a voice.
5
FWrite a headline for an article about a school garden that has won a prize. Give one headline.
6
PSWhich paragraph of Model B describes the volunteers arriving? Write the number.
7
PSWrite one sentence that could be a quotation from a local volunteer, with the speaker named. Use speech marks.
8
RWhat does the paragraph "It is a reminder of the summers" add to the article? Write one word: fact, feeling or question.
9
RExplain why an article uses short paragraphs. One sentence.
8.3

Speeches: direct address, points and a call to action

GCSE
Write a speech with direct address, rhetorical devices, points and a call to action (AO5)
Video lesson: Speeches: direct address, points and a call to actionComing soon
Context. A speech is written to be heard. It uses direct address (you, everyone), a strong opening, rhetorical questions, a list of examples, and a call to action at the end. Model C is a short speech to a school assembly. Read it aloud in your head.

Model C: a speech to a school assembly (original)

1Good morning, everyone. Can I ask you a question? When did you last help someone who did not ask you to?

2Kindness is not something we keep for special occasions. It is a habit, and like every habit, it grows when we practise it. Each small act, a held door, a shared pencil, a quiet word, adds to something bigger than ourselves.

3This term I have seen four things that moved me. A Year 7 pupil carried a stranger's books. A group of sixth formers ran a reading club for the younger children. A caretaker stayed late to fix a bike. And a teacher spent her lunch hour helping a pupil who had fallen behind.

4So here is my challenge for this week. Notice one act of kindness, and then do one yourself. Tell someone about it. Do it for the people next to you, and do it for the person you will never meet.

Key ideas

  • Direct address: Good morning, everyone; you; we.
  • A strong opening: a question or a surprising line that makes the audience listen.
  • Points: use examples, such as a list of three or four.
  • Call to action: tell the audience exactly what to do.
Worked example 8.3.1
Which question of Model C asks the audience about their own actions? Copy the question.

Method. Find the question that asks the audience about themselves.

  1. Find the questions. Two questions are asked in paragraph 1.
    Can I ask you a question?
  2. Pick the hook. The second question is the hook that makes the audience think.
    When did you last help
  3. Copy the question. Copy it exactly.
    When did you last help someone who did not ask you to?
  4. Write the answer.
    When did you last help someone who did not ask you to?

Check. The question is the hook. ✓

Worked example 8.3.2
Which is the call to action in Model C? Choose one: This term I have seen four things., Notice one act of kindness, and then do one yourself. or Kindness is a habit..

Method. Test each choice against the text.

  1. Read what the question asks for. Decide what the sentence or the text needs.
  2. Test the choice. It tells the audience what to do this week.
    Notice one act of kindness, and then do one yourself. fits
  3. Reject the other choices. The other two sentences describe or explain rather than telling the audience to act.
    This term I have seen four things. and Kindness is a habit. do not fit
  4. Write the answer.
    Notice one act of kindness, and then do one yourself.

Check. The choice fits the text. ✓

Worked example 8.3.3
How many examples does paragraph 3 give? Write the number.

Method. Count the examples in the paragraph.

  1. Find the examples. Each sentence gives one example of kindness.
    A Year 7 pupil carried a stranger's books
  2. Count them. There are four examples.
    four things
  3. Give the number. Paragraph 3 gives four examples.
    4
  4. Write the answer.
    4

Check. Four examples in the list. ✓

Exercise 8C  Practice: speeches

1
FWhich words of direct address open Model C? Write the words.
2
FWhich paragraph of Model C is the call to action? Write the number.
3
RWhich technique is "Do it for the people next to you, and do it for the person you will never meet"? Write one word.
4
RWhat is the effect of the list "a held door, a shared pencil, a quiet word"? Write one word: scale, emphasis or confusion.
5
PSWrite a rhetorical question for an assembly speech about recycling. One sentence.
6
RWhich tone suits a speech to pupils about kindness? Write one phrase: warm and direct, or cold and distant.
7
PSWrite one sentence that begins a speech with a surprising fact or claim. Do not use a question.
8
RWhich part of a speech tells the audience what to do? Write one word: opening, points or call to action.
8.4

Leaflets and blogs

GCSE
Use the layout and features of a leaflet and a blog to suit the audience (AO5)
Video lesson: Leaflets and blogsComing soon
Context. A leaflet is a short, eye-catching page with headings, bullet points and clear calls. A blog post is a web article, often personal and informal, with a headline and short paragraphs. Both must be easy to scan.

Key ideas

  • Leaflet: headings, bullet points, bold key words, a clear call to action.
  • Blog: a headline, a friendly voice, short paragraphs, sometimes a sign-off such as Thanks for reading.
  • Scanning: readers skim headings and bullets, so they must make sense on their own.
Worked example 8.4.1
Which feature suits a leaflet but not a formal letter? Choose one: headings and bullet points, Yours faithfully or the date and address at the top.

Method. Test each choice against the text.

  1. Read what the question asks for. Decide what the sentence or the text needs.
  2. Test the choice. Leaflets are scanned, so headings and bullets help the reader find the key facts quickly.
    headings and bullet points fits
  3. Reject the other choices. Yours faithfully and the address belong to letters, not leaflets.
    Yours faithfully and the date and address at the top do not fit
  4. Write the answer.
    headings and bullet points

Check. The choice fits the text. ✓

Worked example 8.4.2
Give one reason a blog uses short paragraphs. Use one reason.

Method. Think about how people read on screens.

  1. Think about the screen. Readers scroll more on a screen.
    scroll
  2. Explain the effect. Short paragraphs look easy to read.
    easy to read
  3. Give the reason. Short paragraphs keep the reader scrolling and reading.
    it keeps the reader scrolling and reading
  4. Write the answer.
    it keeps the reader scrolling and reading

Check. Short paragraphs suit screens. ✓

Worked example 8.4.3
What sign-off suits a blog post? Write the two words.

Method. Think about a friendly end to a blog post.

  1. Think about the audience. A blog reader is a friend-like audience.
    friendly
  2. Choose the sign-off. Thanks for reading is friendly.
    Thanks for
  3. Give the words. The sign-off begins Thanks for.
    Thanks for
  4. Write the answer.
    Thanks for

Check. Thanks for reading is friendly. ✓

Exercise 8D  Practice: leaflets and blogs

1
FWhich feature helps a reader scan a leaflet quickly? Write one phrase.
2
PSWhich phrase is a common sign-off for a blog post? Write the phrase: "Yours faithfully" or "Thanks for reading".
3
FWhich word describes the short points on a leaflet? Write one word.
4
FWrite a headline for a leaflet about a litter-picking day. Give one headline.
5
RIs a blog usually written in a formal or an informal register? Write one word.
6
RExplain why a leaflet uses bold key words. One sentence.
7
FWhich form uses a headline, a subheading and a quotation? Write one word: letter, article or speech.
8.5

Register, tone and form together

GCSE
Choose register, tone and layout to suit the form, the audience and the purpose (AO5, AO6)
Video lesson: Register, tone and form togetherComing soon
Context. Choosing the form is the first decision. Then choose the register (how formal the language is), the tone (the writer's attitude) and the layout. Ask: who is the audience, why am I writing, and which form suits both?

Key ideas

  • Form first: letter, article, speech, leaflet or blog.
  • Register follows the audience: formal for a head teacher, informal for a friend.
  • Tone follows the purpose: polite to ask, passionate to persuade, warm to thank.
  • Layout follows the form: a letter has an address; an article has a headline.
Worked example 8.5.1
Which register suits a letter to the head teacher asking for a change? Choose one: formal, slangy or chatty.

Method. Test each choice against the text.

  1. Read what the question asks for. Decide what the sentence or the text needs.
  2. Test the choice. A head teacher is an authority, and a request needs a polite, respectful register.
    formal fits
  3. Reject the other choices. Slangy and chatty language would seem disrespectful to the reader.
    slangy and chatty do not fit
  4. Write the answer.
    formal

Check. The choice fits the text. ✓

Worked example 8.5.2
Plan the first decision for a piece about a school trip. Write one word.

Method. Think about the order of planning.

  1. Think about the start. The form is chosen first, because it sets the layout.
    sets the layout
  2. Think about the rest. Register and tone then follow the audience and purpose.
    audience and purpose
  3. Name the first decision. The first decision is the form.
    form
  4. Write the answer.
    form

Check. The form comes first. ✓

Worked example 8.5.3
Why does a speech use direct address more than a formal letter? Give one reason.

Method. Think about the form and the audience.

  1. Think about the form. A speech is spoken to a live audience.
    spoken
  2. Think about the effect. Direct address makes the listener feel included.
    included
  3. Give the reason. A speech is heard by an audience, so direct address is natural.
    a speech is heard by an audience
  4. Write the answer.
    a speech is heard by an audience

Check. The form and audience explain the choice. ✓

Exercise 8E  Practice: register, tone and form

1
FWhich register suits a message to a close friend? Write one word: formal or informal.
2
PSWhich is more formal: "I would be grateful if you could help" or "Can you help me?" Write the more formal sentence.
3
RWhat is the first decision when you plan a transactional piece? Write one word: layout, register or form.
4
PSWhich tone suits a letter asking for help with a broken bus stop? Write one word: polite, angry or joking.
5
RExplain how the form of a speech changes the layout compared with a letter. One sentence.
6
PSWhich layout feature suits an article but not a letter? Write one word: headline or address.
7
PSName the audience and the purpose for a leaflet about a new recycling bin. One sentence.
8
FWhich sign-off suits an informal letter to a friend? Write the two words: Yours faithfully or Love from.
9
PSWhich greeting suits a leaflet or blog addressed to readers in general? Write one word: Dear or Hello.
10
RWhich technique is "Imagine the scene: a bus stop, a wet morning, and nobody there to help." Use one word: list of three or simile.

Chapter summary

SkillMethod
Formal and informal lettersAddress top, date, named or unnamed greeting, matching sign-off, formal or friendly register
ArticlesHeadline, subheading, short paragraphs, hook, quotation with the speaker named
SpeechesDirect address, strong opening, points or examples, a call to action at the end
Leaflets and blogsHeadings and bullet points for scanning; a friendly voice and sign-off for a blog
Register, tone and formChoose the form first, then the register for the audience and the tone for the purpose

Can you…?

  • I can lay out a formal letter and match the greeting to the sign-off
  • I can write an article with a headline, subheading, paragraphs and a quotation
  • I can write a speech with direct address and a call to action
  • I can use leaflet and blog features that suit the reader
  • I can choose the register, tone and layout for the form, audience and purpose

Key terms

register
the level of formality of the language
headline
the title of an article, which grabs attention
subheading
a line under the headline that adds detail
direct address
speaking to the reader or audience as you or everyone
call to action
a clear instruction to the audience about what to do
bullet point
a short point marked by a dot, used for scanning
scanning
reading quickly by skimming headings and key words

Exercise 8Z  Check-up

1
Which sign-off matches "Dear Ms Okafor"? Write the two words.
2
What is the sign-off for "Dear Sir or Madam"? Write the two words.
3
Where is the sender's address placed in a formal letter? Write one word: top, middle or bottom.
4
What is the headline of Model B? Write the words.
5
Which paragraph of Model B includes a quotation? Write the number.
6
Who is quoted in Model B? Write the full name.
7
Which question of Model C asks the audience about their own actions? Copy the question.
8
Which phrase in Model C is the call to action? Copy the words.
9
Which sign-off suits a blog post? Write the two words: Yours faithfully or Thanks for reading.
10
Explain how the form of a letter differs from a speech in one way. Write one sentence.

Total 33 marks. Allow about 33 minutes.

Exercise 8X  Exam-style questions

1
FWhich sign-off should close a letter that begins "Dear Mr Patel"? Write the two words.[1 mark]
2
PSWrite a headline (one line) for an article about a new library opening on Saturdays. Give your headline.[2 marks]
3
FWrite one sentence that could open an informal letter to a friend. Use a first-name greeting.[2 marks]
4
RText: "Can I ask you a question?" Explain the effect of this opening on an assembly audience. Use your own words.[2 marks]
5
RText: "Do it for the people next to you, and do it for the person you will never meet." Explain how the speaker uses repetition to persuade. Use your own words.[3 marks]
6
RText: "We were told it could not be saved," said Margaret Lowe. Explain why a writer would include this quotation in an article. Use your own words.[3 marks]
7
RText: "Good morning, everyone." Explain why a speech opens with direct address. Give one reason.[2 marks]
8
PSWrite a letter opening (greeting and first sentence) to a head teacher asking for a longer lunch break. Use a formal greeting and a formal sign-off line.[4 marks]
9
RWrite the opening paragraph of an article for a local magazine about a community garden. Use a hook and one quotation with the speaker named.[5 marks]
10
RText: "Notice one act of kindness, and then do one yourself. Tell someone about it." Explain how the speaker moves from a challenge to an action. Use your own words.[4 marks]
11
RExplain how the register of a formal letter differs from a blog post, using one example from each. Use your own words.[5 marks]
← Chapter 7: Writing argument, persuasive and discursiveChapter 9: Spoken language: presenting and responding →

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